Workout Series: DeMatha

Ron Bailey, Publisher

The Stags are again poised
to make noise

September 11, 2009 – The basketball world in America,
at all levels, is quite aware of DeMatha Catholic High School, an institution
in Hyattsville, MD richly stepped in hoops history and talent. With names
like Hall of Famers Morgan Wootten – the program’s esteemed
former coach - and Adrian Dantley, one of the best who ever laced them
up – in addition to standouts Adrian Dantley, Dereck Whittenburg,
Sydney Lowe, Bobby Ferry, Austin Freeman and many others, there is no
doubt why most people know of the school.

This year’s group of DeMatha Stags looks to be one of the better
teams Coach Mike Jones has had in his eight years there; it’s a
crew that’s boasts standout players in multiple graduating classes.
Again, DeMatha is stacked.

Following are some of the players witnessed at a Stag workout yesterday.
For the record, UMass, Mount St. Mary’s and Longwood had members
of their coaching staffs present. They have joined a long list who have
visited the school since December 9th, when the NCAA’s Open Contact
period allows them to witness these unstructured workouts (for instance,
on the 9th West Virginia, Indiana, Georgetown, Clemson, UVA, Notre Dame,
and Pitt were all in the house).

Quinn Cook – 6’0”, 165 lb point guard,
Class of 2011 – Possibly the Washington, D.C. area’s best
player, Cook can score and pass at a high level. As Jones said “Everybody
is recruiting him”, with basically all of those colleges offering
a scholarship. Is the leader of this team, evidenced by him diving on
the floor for a loose ball right before the session ended – he leads
by example.

Jeremi Grant pats the ball as Victor Oladipo
defends. Both are Team Takeover (AAU) standouts.

Jerian Grant – 6’4”, 185 lb guard,
Class of 2010 – Having recently orally committed to Notre Dame,
Grant is a player that is offensively diverse, being able to shoot, drive
and pass.

Victor Oladipo – 6’4”, 185 lb guard,
Class of 2010 – Extremely athletic, Oladipo will take his high flyer
routine to Indiana, as he has committed to play there. Victor likes to
guard the opposing team’s best perimeter player.

Jeremi Grant - 6'6", 175 lb guard, Class of 2012
- Long and a good shooter, Grant trends upward well, as he is a matchup
problem for opposing players.

Justin Black – 6’2”, 185 lb guard,
Class of 2010 – Black has flown under the radar for some, but expect
that to change, as Longwood, North Carolina A&T and Niagara are all
interested in Justin, a strong player that drives, finishes, and handles
the ball. The last two schools have offered scholarships, and A&T,
according to his coach, Jones, “has an in-home scheduled for October”.

James Robinson seems to be transitioning
to the point guard. Here he's being defended by Justin Black.

David Naves – 6’2”, 170 lb guard,
Class of 2010 – Naves, according to his coach, “should be
a Division I player”, given the young guy’s athletic ability,
penchant for finishing, and shooting capacity. A sleeper.

James Robinson - 6’1”, 200 lb guard, Class
of 2012 – A young player, Robinson has nevertheless carved a niche
for himself as a combo guard transitioning to the point, playing with
strength, who can score through contact and hit shots. Has a high development
curve and good feel for the game.

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